A SCARECROW has been recruited to help put the frighteners on drivers speeding through an East Cleveland village.

The scarecrow - PC Speedy - was created by Morgan Hillyard, eight, and brother Finlay, six, of Freebrough Road, Moorsholm.

It was a winner in a scarecrow competition run as part of Moorsholm Show and it has now been recruited to help the Hillyard family in their calls for action to slow drivers. The scarecrow is positioned at a lamppost at the entrance to the village with a sign saying: “PC Speedy says Slow Down”.

The family is backed by Redcar and Cleveland councillor Steve Kay and Lockwood parish councillor Ian Solomon.

Mrs Hillyard said the family’s pet cat, George, had been killed on the road outside their home. “The car was going at least at 70mph and did not stop.

“We have lost an animal but it could have been a child,” she said.

Dad Mark, 37, a mechanic, said: “We have two young sons and they can’t be out of the front of the house playing. In our area there are eight children under eight years of age. I would rather something was done now about the speeding before an accident happens.”

Mr and Mrs Hillyard want the 30mph limit extended about 100 yards.

Councillor Kay said: “My fear is that a child runs out between parked vehicles into the path of a speeding car.”

Cllr Kay said he was asking residents to attend the next East Cleveland Area Committee, on Wednesday, at the Methodist Church Centre, High Street, Brotton, to give their views. It starts at 6pm. Councillor Solomon said: “I agree the speed limit should be extended.”

Councillor Helen McLuckie, Redcar and Cleveland Cabinet member for highways, transportation and planning, said: “There have been no accidents resulting in injuries on this stretch of road in the past five years.”

She said the council followed national guidelines for the setting of speed limits. “The current 30mph speed limit starts at the properties at the beginning of the village, encouraging drivers to reduce their speeds. It is considered that extending the limit further south would not have an impact.

“However, we do take residents' views on board,” she said.

Cleveland Police said they were aware of residents’ concerns and were working with the borough council to carry out a speed survey.